I've been shouting from the rooftops on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ about how I am more of a goal-setter than a resolution-maker.  Don't get me wrong — I love hearing others talk about all of the wonderful resolutions they will be making in the coming year.  I think it's fantastic, but just not for me.  For me, it's more realistic to set goals rather than make resolutions because the word "resolution" scares me.  Goals, from my perspective, are things to look forward to attaining.  They're attainable but not guaranteed.  I like that frame of mind better.  I can accept that I have my shortcomings so why set myself up for disappointment by making a resolution?

So, as such, I have decided to really focus in and narrow down a few homekeeping  goals I have for myself in the coming year.  And, I'm pretty confident that I can a) attain these goals with a reasonable amount of effort and b) do so fairly quickly and early into 2012.  We shall see.

Drumroll . . .

1.  Organize the under-the-sink area of my kitchen.

I know, I know, such an eyesore.  It's been a few years since I've done anything about this highly untidy and unruly area of my kitchen and I think it's about high time to revisit.  I've got a plan in mind, I just need to gather all of my tools and get to work.  This will probably be one of – if not THE first – goal I will wrap up once the kids get back to school and I get a few free moments at home.  And for the record, yes I am embarrased at showing you this photo.  But, I'll get over it.

I should share with you that I've actually tackled one of my kitchen conondrums recently.  I hated having a huge block of knives taking up valuable real estate on my countertop.  Let's face it – I'm a minimalist and too many things on a countertop (or any other flat surface, for that matter) makes me freakin' insane.  So I was shopping around for solutions and finally settled on this one:

LOOOOOVVVEEE it!  It's a bamboo knife dock that fits perfectly in the smaller drawer just next to my stove and helps keep all of my knives corralled and protected when not in use.  And, I just gained my valuable counter space back!

2.  Attack my entryway closet (with a vengance)!!

Now THIS is going to prove to be a little trying.  This little to-do project has been on my list for months now.  It's been a pain in my rear.  Partly because I don't really know what I want but also because I'm afraid to attack the project.  Right now it's sort of a mish-mosh of stuff in here – coats/jackets, shoes, scarves, board games, a vaccuum, and who knows what else!  I do think I've finally got a plan down that will work with what our family needs though.  Wish me luck!  And again,  not so thrilled to be sharing this pic but I think it serves as even more motivation for me to get 'er done.

3.  Pretty-ify my upstairs linen closet.

Ah, yes my upstairs catch-all.  Well the good news is that everything in there is clean as a whistle and smells fantastic!  The bad news?  Well, you're looking at it.  At one time this closet actually was in showroom condition. But after a while I got to just stuffing the clean and folded sheets and towels into the closet and shutting the door real fast.  You know, before anything came tumbling out at me.  Again, I already have my plan in place for giving this space an overhaul.  I just need a few hours or so to myself (yeah, right!) so that I can completely empty it and figure out what's going and staying.  I think January's a perfect month to do this.  And, I'll be rewarding myself with some new king size sheets and bedding, thank you very much.  January's also a perfect month for that since it happens to be the best time of year to get good deals on new bedding and towels!  This brown girl loves a White Sale!

4.  Make some sense out of my 2 year-old's closet.

My two oldest sons share a room (by choice) and my youngest, 2 year-old Jacob, has his own room.  This photo is of his closet.  It's totally driven me nuts for the past two years!!  As you can see, it's a pretty decent size for what he needs.  The space just isn't maximized and I haven't taken the time to really clean it out.  There's actually a few toys and books stored in this space that really should be either in our basement playroom or my other sons' room.  Again, this is not a huge organizational project.  I could see tackling this in an afternoon.  Now, where'd I put my motivation? . . . .

5.  Get rid of this friggin' wallpaper!!!!!

This is a partial view into my beautiful dining room.  Well, beautiful minus this insane wallpaper!  It came with the house when we bought it just over 8 years ago.  The original owners had the rest of the house painted beautifully in colors we love.  And then, they did this.  This ridiculous wallpaper!  I can't wait to get it off.  I may end up hiring out for this job because I am just not a do-it-yourselfer.  Not when it comes to wallpaper removal. 

This is what happened when a friend of mine said to try and pull it off to see if it would come off easily.  It didn't.

Yeah, not pretty.  So even though I've had a good friend offer to come and help me strip it and paint it, I think I just may find someone to do it professionally and call it good.  Totally worth it in my opinion!

So, have you set goals or made resolutions for the upcoming new year?  Well, whether you have or have not, there is a FABULOUS e-book – One Bite at A Time – that I learned about a few months ago that's written by Tsh Oxenreider of SimpleMom.net.  This book is a no-frills approach to getting (and keeping) you on track with accomplishing goals to make life simpler.  The e-book is available in pdf, nook, and kindle formats.  It will plainly and simply give you a foundation on which to begin your journey to a simpler, more organized life.  It's packed with resources that will lead you on your path!  Just visit the e-book website to download a sample and get it for yourself!

And now, the best part!  Because I'm celebrating 2012 and goal-setting with YOU, I'm so excited to not only let you know that for a limited time you can get $1 off the One Bite at A Time e-book by using promo code "HAPPYNEWYEAR".  That makes it just $4!!  Such a great value for such a great resource to help you in your homekeeping!

I'm also excited to announce that one of YOU will WIN a FREE copy of this e-book in a special giveaway promotion!  Just click below for details on how to enter.  One winner will be selected at random from all valid entries received.  The entry period runs from now through January 6, 2012. 

Happy New Year!  I can't wait to hear what you think of the e-book!

 

 

 

 

{Disclosure:  The giveaway is sponsored by Tsh Oxenreider.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.}

 

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